WRITING AN ANNOTATED 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
An annotated bibliography is a list of selected literature with critical comments related to a 
research topic. It generally includes books, scholarly articles, and other published material. 
The content of the selected literature items is summarised in critical annotations, which 
usually include an evaluation of their usefulness for the research purpose.  

An annotated bibliography is presented in alphabetical order according to the authors’ surnames. The 
bibliography is a selection of good quality relevant material that is accurate, up­to­date, and generally peer 
reviewed. The length of each entry (annotation) may vary from a couple of sentences to a number of 
paragraphs. Check your assignment guide for clarification.  

C o n t e n t   o f   a   c r i t i c a l   a n n ot a t i o n 
An annotation has two main sections: 
• the reference details (bibliographic information) 
• a description and comments on the material (annotation). 

A critical annotation contains a summary of the content of each item in the bibliography. This should focus on 
the value of the material for the research topic in relation to: 
• its aims and philosophical or theoretical bases  
• how it adds to the research in the field 
• its place in—and relationship to—the wider field of research 
• the intended audience 
• the strengths and weaknesses of the source for your research purpose 
• if it is original, important and of a high standard 
• if the findings are sound, logical and well researched. 

An annotated bibliography presents a quick and effective insight into some of the texts you have selected. 
Therefore, it should present a description and evaluation of each item, in addition to an indication of how that 
item contributes to your research topic.  

F o c u s   a n d  l a n gu a ge    
The focus of annotated bibliography is on the source (‘the article outlines…’, ‘the book covers…’) and it is 
written in paragraphs with complete sentences, generally in the present tense. The language should be formal 
and objective, in an academic writing style.  
In an annotation, you should summarise and comment on the content of the book or article, critically assess its 
relevance to your research, and identify its contribution to the general field of inquiry.  

* See next page for a sample critical annotation. 

Study Tips: Annotated bibliographies 1 Jun 2015  

 

 
S a m p l e   o f   a  c ri t i c a l  a n n o t a t i o n   
Look at this example of a critical annotation with some of the elements outlined. Each 
annotation (summary) in an annotated bibliography is usually around 200 words, although this 
may vary so you should check the assignment guide. Present your annotated bibliography in 
alphabetical order according to the family name of the authors. 
 

F eat u res  E x a m p l e  E l e m e n ts   
Starts with full  Raghuram, S, Garud, R, Wiesenfeld, B & Gupta, V 2001, Use the correct 
bibliographic details  ‘Factors contributing to virtual work adjustment’, Journal citation style.*  
of the text.*  of Management, vol. 27, pp. 383-405.
Write a brief  The article explores the factors that facilitate or hinder Provides a brief 
summary of the  employees’ adjustment when moving from a conventional summary of the 
text. Be concise.  office-based environment to a virtual work environment, content, including the 
aims. 
Write in complete  whether situated distantly or at home. The article suggests
sentences, in  that structural factors (such as work independence and Outlines the most 
standard English.  clear evaluation criteria) and relational factors (such as relevant findings 
and/or conclusions.  
Any information  feeling of trust in colleagues and management, and a
apparent in the title  sense of connectedness to the company) are key [Identifies research 
of the text can be  facilitators of successful adjustment. The researchers also methods if 
omitted from the  explore aspects such as age, gender and experience of applicable.] 
annotation. 
virtual work, as moderators of the key indicators.

Mention only  The article provides a useful rationale explaining the basis Gives a critical 
significant and  of the study design. The results are supported statistically evaluation of the 
relevant details.  and graphic representations distil the important findings. article.  
While the research sample is large, however, and a May include an 
representative cross-section of employees across genders, evaluation of the 
job categories and management hierarchy is used, it may methodology, findings 
be biased in the fact that the selection is limited to and conclusions.  
employees in the telecommunication industries.
Furthermore, while all results correlate to measures of the May identify possible 
employees’ adjustment to virtual work, the findings rest limitations of the 
article or study. 
largely upon ‘self-perceived adjustment’. Whether or not
this is a reliable and accurate measure of successful
adjustment is not addressed.
The annotation  The finding that organisational connectedness is a Indicates how this 
discusses only one  powerful factor in the adjustment to virtual work for men material may be 
text so there is no  has informed the present research on women in IT. The relevant and useful for 
need to cross  the writer’s research.  
article is useful to my research topic as Raghuram et al.
reference or use in­
text citations.  find that although a correlation between feeling connected
to the company and successful virtual work adjustment
still remains, it is much less significant for females. This
potentially supports the notion that women are well
suited to being the pioneers of the virtual work
environment.

* Use the referencing style specified for your course. Author–date (Harvard) citation is used here. 

Study Tips: Annotated bibliographies 2 Jun 2015